Family IT Guy Podcast
Family IT Guy
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About This Podcast
Ben Gillenwater helps families protect children from digital dangers, bringing 30 years of cybersecurity expertise to the parenting journey. His background includes working with the NSA and serving as Chief Technologist of a $10 billion IT company, where he built global-scale systems and understood technology's risks at every level.
His mission began when he gave his young son an iPad with "kid-safe" apps—only to discover inappropriate content days later. Despite his deep technical background, Ben realized that if protecting children online was challenging for him, it must be even more difficult for parents without his expertise.
Through Family IT Guy, Ben creates videos and articles that help parents and kids learn how to leverage the positive parts of the internet while avoiding the dangerous and risky parts. His approach bridges the knowledge gap between complex technology and practical family protection, making digital safety accessible to everyone.
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Recent Episodes
Apple iOS just made kids’ phones safer.
For years, giving a child their first phone meant starting with a device designed for adults and then trying to lock it down afterward. Apple just announced a major shift. With iOS 27, kids'…
The Hidden Risk of Instagram’s New Instants Feature
Meta's new Instants feature has drawn comparisons to Snapchat for one simple reason: both are built around disappearing photos and messages. For parents, the important question isn't which app…
Age Verification Laws Explained: Why They Won’t Protect Kids
Age verification laws are spreading fast, and the "prove your age to use the internet" approach will make every family less safe, not more. Governments across the US and around the world want…
Your Kids Are Not the Customer. They’re the Product.
One of the most important skills parents can teach kids today is how to think critically about business models. Because if kids don’t understand how internet companies make money, they can’t fully…
The Two Biggest Online Threats to Kids Right Now.
If you're new here, welcome. My name is Ben Gillenwater, also known as The Family IT Guy. I’m a dad and a cybersecurity expert with 30 years of experience, and my mission is simple: help families…
The Dark Truth About Snapchat Parents Aren’t Being Told
This video is dedicated to Avery, a 15-year-old boy who died after buying MDMA through Snapchat. Avery grew up with strong boundaries around technology. Waldorf education. Outdoor adventures.…
If You Use AI for Therapy Watch This
A growing number of adults and teens are using AI chatbots for therapy, emotional support, advice, and difficult conversations. Some people say it helps them feel less alone. Others are relying on it…
Why We Removed Phones From Our Bedrooms (And What Changed Immediately)
If you are trying to keep your kids safer online, this is where I would start: keep internet-connected devices out of bedrooms. Bedrooms should be calm places. Places for sleep, rest,…
How to Remove Hidden Data From Your Photos
Most people crop photos for aesthetics. Few realize that every photo can also contain hidden metadata. When you take a picture on your phone, it may include location data, timestamps, device…
How Predators Went From Playgrounds to Your Kid’s Phone
Mike Lemon investigates crimes against children for a living. He's done it for over 20 years. He trains 5,000 parents a year on what he's learned. He still built layered defenses for his own kids'…
Meta to pay $375 million for knowingly putting children in danger on Facebook and Instagram.
A New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for knowingly putting children in danger on Facebook and Instagram. It's being called a historic win, but is it really a win for kids? In this…
Age Verification Laws Won’t Protect Your Kids Online (Here’s What Will)
At least 20 states are pushing bills that claim to protect your kids online. I've read them. I testified against one in South Dakota. The problems they're trying to solve are real. The bills don't…
What to Do When Your Kid Is Melting Down Over Screens
Dr. Carrie Mackensen is a clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience directing addiction and eating disorder treatment programs. She's raising two boys without iPads and is writing a book on…
Is Roblox Safe for Kids? Chris Hansen’s Investigation Explained
Is Roblox safe for kids? In this interview, Chris Hansen shares findings from his investigation into predators, grooming tactics, and why thousands of families have reported harm on the…
”Screens Are a Drug.” How to Get Your Family Back with Mike McLeod
Mike McLeod is a speech-language pathologist and ADHD executive function specialist who has worked with over 500 families to eliminate screens since 2016. He hosts the ADHD Parenting Podcast and has…
Social Media on Trial: The Case Against Meta, YouTube, TikTok & Snapchat
For the first time, social media executives are being forced to answer to a jury for the impact their platforms have had on children. This trial in Los Angeles (MDL 3047) brings together claims…
FBI Psychologist: Your Kid’s Phone Is More Dangerous Than a Gun
Dr. Lisa Strohman spent 30 years studying what hurts kids—from profiling at FBI Quantico after Columbine to serving as an expert witness in New Mexico v. Meta. Her conclusion? The phone in your…
AI Videos vs Deepfakes: How to Tell What’s Real Online (With Jeremy Carrasco)
How do you protect your kids online when even adults can’t tell what’s real anymore? AI-generated videos, deepfakes, and synthetic audio are not just a tech issue. They are showing up inside the…
Why schools are ditching phones!
3 AI Rules for Kids, from a cybersecurity expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Family IT Guy Podcast has published 59 episodes since August 2025, covering topics in Kids & Family, Parenting.
Family IT Guy Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 27m.
